50% of the world’s population have 24 hours once a year to be the centre of attention in their work to achieve equality. Until that’s no longer needed, International Women’s Day, will continue to be one of the most important “Days”. This IWD, SheSays, is using the day to create a powerhouse of useful connection.
It has launched a global WhatsApp community, built on the power of collective support. The WhatsApp community will bring together women and non-binary people from SheSays chapters in 55 cities across the globe, creating a 24-hour channel where members can support each other. People working in or studying to join the creative industry can register here.
While the IPA Census reported increasing gender parity at senior levels in creative industries, the pay gap remains significant. Women entering the workforce today may not see parity during their careers, leading to frustration and apathy, as gender equality has yet to be achieved anywhere in the world.
The nine-five workday was originally based on a male-dominated labour force, sidelining women to home roles. It is no longer working well, and the inflexible culture of networking feels out of touch with the modern world. As a result, women are increasingly turning to finding digital networks to get the support they need, in life and in work. SheSays is making itself the backbone of networking for its members beyond the short moment of women’s visibility on March 8.
The community will feature dedicated subgroups addressing support and guidance around career challenges, opportunities and progression, networking and connection and country specific topics.
Ruby Norman Curran, president of SheSays London, stated, “This year we wanted to create something for International Women’s Day that would live far beyond the 8th March. SheSays has always been about women and non-binary people supporting each other, but until now we hadn’t really harnessed our international reach. It’s exciting to be doing this at a global scale, and what better time to launch an international network than International Women’s Day?”
Alessandra Lariu, co-founder of SheSays, added, “We are expanding our community to offer women and non binary people an inclusive channel to give and gain connections, support and knowledge from across SheSays – globally. We’re not doing a one-off IWD campaign, we’re creating an active community where people can find connections anywhere in the world. For too long, International Women’s Day has been positioned as encouraging women to take action on that day, placing the responsibility for change on us. It’s not for women to change to fit outdated systems, it’s for systems to progress so they are fit for purpose. Our community has been built by women, for women and we look forward to welcoming people to join, wherever their next career journey may be.”
The SheSays London team behind the campaign are:
Creative Director: Ruby Norman Curran
Strategist: Jo Bromilow
Art Director: Joyce Kremer
Designer: Ewa Dominiak
Producer: Zan Stepien
Social: Melissa Wong
Developer: Jennifer Vobis
Founders: Alessandra Lariu & Laura Jordan Bambach
PR: Charlotte Read @ PRcentric
